[globelamp]

Interesting.

That starvation diets don´t work over the long haul is hardly news, but it´s always interesting to hear new hypotheses regarding the mechanisms behind apetite control.

Now, the other side of the coin is that normal apetite and metabolism is not supposed to lead to obesity, NAFLD, diabetes, etc. Hence, it is likely that the “gluttony and sloth” hypothesis of metabolic derangement is wrong.

This EJCN article outlines what I believe is the best (partial) alternative hypothesis of why we have seen such a tremendous increase in obesity, diabetes and NAFLD over the past decades (free abstract only):

http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ejcn2011132a.html

TLDR version:

“An alternative model emphasises the capacity of fructose and fructose-derived sweeteners (sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup) to perturb cellular metabolism via modification of the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio, activation of AMP kinase and compensatory mechanisms, which favour adipose tissue accretion and increased appetite while depressing physical activity.

This conceptual model implicates chronic hyperinsulinaemia in the presence of a paradoxical state of ‘cellular starvation’ as a key driver of the metabolic modifications inducing chronic weight gain.”

[HiTech RedNeck]

HFCS has come under a lot of scrutiny and blame as it came into vogue as an economically driven substitute for ordinary cane and beet sugar (i.e. sucrose) about the same time as people started getting fat at an increasing rate. Sucrose, dating way back in modern history, still somehow didn’t provoke much of an obesity problem of itself.

[spankalib]

Throwing in the idea that the tongue doesn’t recognize the difference btwn analogs of sugar (artificial sweeteners), and still triggers insulin release when eating ‘diet’ this or that...that’s one reason why ppl get fat on diet stuff.

I think the main reason for obesity is carbs. It’s like we get a ‘carb allowance’, and when we exceed that, insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome/diabetes inevitably results.

I believe the same neurons and biochemical pathways are involved as are with drug addictions.

Try suggesting cutting carbs to almost anyone, and you get that;
“You’ll have to pry my lasagna from my cold, dead fingers” -look.

There’s a reason it’s called “comfort food” - and it’s neurological. (I’m no expert, though).
Cheers.

I’m trying to ingest more of the medium-chain saturated fatty acids...butter, coconut oil, etc. for energy, and quiet down my cravings.